I agree with the following illustration used by Dr. Sharma, M.D. a medical specialist who deals with obesity issues.

Weight Management is like a rubber band.

Weight Loss is pulling on the rubber band.

Weight Maintenance is KEEP pulling on the rubber band.

The individual question regarding our own Weight Management is: 

“HOW MUCH CAN WE PULL ... AND KEEP PULLING?"

This is analogy describes my own lifetime experience. That Truth is especially applicable to my past 7 years of maintenance within the “normal” BMI range, after years of yo-yo dieting up to a high of 271 lbs at 5’0” tall”, with a subsequent total weight loss of 156 lbs. To better visualize this amount, this number was 58% of my TOTAL body weight, which is a similar total amount lost by many of the winners of the “Biggest Loser” television show.

Rubber bands come in different sizes and strength. So do the bodies of people. It naturally follows that the more weight a person loses, the more the "tension of the rubber band".  This is why it usually takes far less effort for someone who loses 10 lbs to maintain that weight-loss, than someone who loses 100 lbs. 

Bodies appear to have a Set Point, which is like a rubber band in it's natural state .. unstretched.  However, it is clear that weight-gain will drive the body's natural Set Point higher. Although most people hope and pray that weight-loss will re-set that altered Set Point back to a lower number, all available evidence indicates that this is a one-way--upward-only--survival path.  Click link for more information about Set Point.

   I’ve been reading a great many things written by Dr. Sharma. At this point, I have a lot of respect for his expertise and point of view.

I like the fact that Dr. Sharma believes that people need to stop beating themselves up for a lack of motivation, and understand that there are very good reasons why they struggle with their weight. He says:

”Everyone talks about eating right and exercising, which is so simplistic. I talk about things like time management and the links between mental health, depression and overeating. And I tell everyone to never trust a diet book that has recipes.”

His advice to other physicians is:

“Telling obese people to ‘eat less and move more’ is like telling someone with depression to cheer up. It’s not that easy. And telling someone that it is demonstrates your lack of understanding.”

Below is a recent video clip of Dr. Sharma.

LOOK CLOSER
  …by Phyllis McCormack
             (written in 1966 while working as a Nurse)

What do you see nurses,what do you see?
Are you thinking when you are looking at me,

A crabby old woman, not very wise,
Uncertain of habit, with far away eyes.

Who dribbles her food and makes no reply,
When you say in a loud voice,
"I do wish you'd try".

Who seems not to notice the things that you do
And forever is losing a stocking or shoe.
Who, quite unresisting lets you do as you will
With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill?


Is that what you're thinking, is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, you're not looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am, as I sit here so still.

As I move at your bidding, as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of ten, with a father and mother
brothers and sisters, who love one another.

A young girl of sixteen with wings on her feet
Dreaming that soon a true lover she'll meet.

A bride now at twenty - my heart gives a leap
Remembering the vows that I promised to keep.

At twenty-five now I have young of my own
Who need me to build a secure happy home.

A woman of thirty, my young now grow fast,
Bound to each other with ties that should last;

At forty my sons will soon be all gone
But my man stays beside me to see I don't mourn.

At fifty once more babies play round my knee,
Again we know children, my loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead
I look to the future, I shudder with dread
For my young are all busy with young of their own
And I think of the years and the love I have known.

I'm an old woman now and nature is cruel.
'Tis her jest to make old age look like a fool.
The body it crumbles, grace and vigour depart
There is a stone where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells
And now and again my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys, I remember the pain

And I'm loving and living all over again.

I think of the years, all too few - gone too fast
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.

So open your eyes, nurses, open and see.
Not a crabby old woman, look closer - SEE ME.